Students will write a 3-5 page film analysis paper over the course of the semester. These papers will analyze a minimum of three formal or thematic issues in a film from the list provided or approved in advance by the instructor. This paper is worth 100 points. Using terminology and concepts from class materials and assigned readings students must examine how three formal elements (such as lighting, editing, sound, Mise- en-Scene, etc.) are utilized within the film and the impact they have on the film as a whole. You should not examine the film in a general way but instead narrow your focus to the three elements. Be thoughtful in your film selection. Pick a film from the list that is substantive enough for review and one that has multiple examples in the areas that you choose to focus on. Look for an aspect of the film that you respond to and begin your inquiry by asking yourself why you respond that way. Next analyze how a specific element is used to elicit that response. Make sure that you support your thesis idea with clear and specific examples from the film. Your analysis should be organized around how the elements relate to and contribute to the overall mood, theme, central purpose, or total effect. It is absolutely acceptable to interject your own voice and subjectivity into the analysis as long as it is logically organized and supported within your paper with specific examples. Here is a list of elements to consider (you can also come up with an element not on this list):
Direction
Camera Movement
Editing
Structure
Acting
Story
Dialogue
Framing
Narrative
Sound
Lighting POV
Color
Characterization
Symbolism
Theme
Genre
Mise en Scene
SpecialFX
Montage
Auteur effect
You should not choose the same element for the film that we explored with that film in class – for example, you may not write about Mise en Scene in Singin in the Rain but you can explore Sound in Singin in the Rain.
Structure
You should concentrate on three elements as mentioned previously (an exception to this might be mise-en-scene since it is already comprised of several elements). In your introduction, you need a preview statement that clearly states your elements of choice (with the film of choice) and the main points. For example: “In Mad Max’s: Fury Road’s Mise en Scene is built on and explored through setting, costumes, and lighting.” Notice the element is mise en scene and the main points are setting, costumes, and lighting. Then for the body of the paper each paragraph(s) expands upon the main points as they relate to the one element in the film. For example: from the preview statement above, the body of the paper would have a paragraph (or several) on each of the following: setting, costumes, and lighting with specific examples from the movie. Each paragraph needs to have one focus (one main point). Finally, in the conclusion you want to restate your main points about Mise en Scene (i.e. setting, costumes, and lighting) in Mad Max’s: Fury Road. In the conclusion, you also summarize your paper. Be sure that you have a clear thesis with a minimum of three elements and that each of those elements are fully explored and supported.
Formatting
All papers should be formatted according to MLA guidelines: 12-point font, double spaced, 1 inch margins, etc. Correct grammar and spelling are essential. Papers should be a minimum of 3 full pages. All sources (including films) must be cited according to the APA or MLA citation standards. (If you are not familiar with the structure of these citation styles, check at the library, the bookstore, or on the World Wide Web for the latest versions produced by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Modern Languages Association (MLA).)
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